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Capacity

Tons

When it comes to your air conditioner, tons refers to cooling capacity rather than the actual weight of the AC unit. Tons are also known as tonnage. Determining the capacity in tons that you need to cool your home involves precise AC sizing

Correct sizing involves taking numerous factors into account and entering them in to perform a Manual J load calculation. Factors HVAC professionals consider include:

  • Your climate region
  • Your annual cooling needs
  • The size of your home in square feet
  • The layout of your home and the number of stories
  • Ceiling height
  • Number and size of windows
  • Skylights
  • Patio doors
  • Sun exposure
  • Existing ductwork
  • Current insulation and ventilation
  • Current energy efficiency of the home
  • Other heat-generating appliances

You can also estimate AC sizing using the square footage of your home, as indicated by the AC sizing chart below. But remember, this is only an estimate. Work with an HVAC company to get a system with the right capacity to cool and heat your home.

Home size (sq. ft.)Unit Size (tons)Unit Size (BTUs)
1000 sq. ft.2-ton AC unit/2-ton heat pump/2-ton mini split24,000 BTUs
1500 sq. ft.3-ton AC unit/3-ton heat pump/3-ton mini split36,000 BTUs
2000 sq. ft.4-ton AC unit/4-ton heat pump/4-ton mini split48,000 BTUs
2500 sq. ft.5-ton AC unit/5-ton heat pump/5-ton mini split60,000 BTUs

Notice that one ton = 12,000 BTUs. More on that below.

British Thermal Units (BTUs)

BTU stands for British Thermal Units. One BTU refers to the amount of heat that’s needed to raise or lower one pound of water by one degree Fahrenheit. The heating capacity of a furnace or heat pump is measured in BTUH or BTUs per hour. But BTUs can also be used to measure the capacity of central air conditioners and ductless HVAC systems. 

To get a furnace or heat pump (or dual-fuel system) that can comfortably heat your home no matter the weather, work with an HVAC professional. Know that the colder your climate zone, the more BTUs, or heating capacity, you will need.

Wondering what size HVAC unit you need or how many BTUs your furnace should have? Contact your local Trane dealer for precise system sizing.

Contact a dealer

From finding the right HVAC system to maintaining it, a dealer is your best resource. Get your questions answered every step of the way.

Contact a local dealer

Dealers can answer questions, help you find the right products for your home, and repair your system.

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Connect with our Customer Care team about your products, warranties, and dealer concerns.

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